Lory in Ha! Ha! Land
The divine comedy of writer, actor, and producer Lory Tatoulian
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June 18, 2015
AGBU Hye Geen Hosts Lecture with Sarah Leah Whitson of Human Rights Watch
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AGBU Hye Geen Members with Sarah Leah Whitson (center). -
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Sarah Leah Whitson is the executive director of the Middle East and North Africa division of Human Rights Watch, an international non-governmental organization committed to human rights advocacy and research.
Whitson discusses contemporary human rights in the Middle East
On May 19, 2015, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) Hye Geen held a lecture at the AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School in Pasadena, California, with Sarah Leah Whitson. Whitson is the executive director of the Middle East and North Africa division of Human Rights Watch, an international non-governmental organization committed to human rights advocacy and research.
The lecture focused on an overview of human rights issues in the Middle East. Whitson, an attorney, has worked in her role since 2004 and has written extensively on conflict zones and violations of international humanitarian law.
In her presentation, Whitson explained that resistance, rather than repression, is the reason for the struggle in the Middle East. While opposition against ruling regimes was the impetus for the conflict in countries such as Egypt, Iraq, Libya and Syria, the situation has escalated since then to the proportions seen today. She expressed her regret in the government’s lack of accountability and the atrocities that both the government and rebel forces have carried out as a result.
Whitson looked specifically at the example of Syria where people had been repressed by the current regime for decades and various opposition groups have emerged. She detailed how resistance groups have not only failed to succeed in political liberation, but have also destroyed cities, towns and cultural monuments.
Whitson also explained the failure of the United States State Department, responsible for foreign policy, in creating a clear policy to address the worsening conditions in the region, particularly an immigration policy pertaining to refugees. The conflict has resulted in millions of refugees who now live in refugee camps in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan.
AGBU Hye Geen is a non-governmental organization committed to preserving and honoring the achievements of Armenian women and promoting their role in family and society through research, education and advocacy. All proceeds from the event went to benefit the AGBU Pregnant Women’s Centers in Armenia.
For more information on AGBU Hye Geen, please visit http://www.agbuhyegeen.org/
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